GEOGRAPHIC LITERATURE 
83 
YUCATAN IN 1895 
The following is taken from a valuable report recently received 
at the Department of State from Mr R. L. Oliver, United States 
consul at Merida; 
The government census is »approaching completion, and from data 
already received it is apparent that the total population of the state ap- 
proximates 500,000, of whom 60,000 are in Merida. 
Yucatan has always been considered among the most advanced states 
■of IMexico in point of education. Schools have attained a high order since 
the advent of independence. While under the control and supervision 
of the local governments, the system of matriculation and education is 
mapped out by the federal and state authorities through their respective 
boards of education. The law is compulsorj', and though it is not strictly 
•enforced in Yucatan, reports show a good attendance. 
Sectarian schools are in decadence — in fact, they are only primary 
schools for the young. The revenue for their support is deilved from 
donations by patrons. The non-sectarian or public schools are main- 
tained at the expense of the state. The governor appoints directors, who 
in turn select professors and teachers. The total expenditure for j^uiblic 
instruction for the scholastic year 1894-’95 has been about 8100,000 (gold) ; 
this sustained 435 schools. 
Manufactures are confined to articles for local wants, such as soap, 
matches, candles, shoes, rope, etc. 
There are four railways, owned and operated exclusively by natives. 
One broad-gauge road has 75 miles in oi^eration ; the others, narrow-gauge 
average about 60 miles each, comideted, but are in course of extension’ 
Tariffs for passengers and freight are about one-half the rates charged 
for local business in the United States. 
Except wheat, rye, and other small grains, almost any plant will thrive, 
but the i)rincipal products are corn, beans, sugar, and hemp. The last 
named is a phenomenally hardy plant and flourishes almost equally well 
with or without rain ; corn, beans, and sugar require irrigation and yield 
barely sufficient for home requirements. If there is a failure, as at present 
in corn, the deficiency is su])plied from Mexico or the United States. The 
interior being unable to make up the deficiency in corn, the legislative 
authorities of A'ucatan petitioned the federal government to reduce the 
import duties on foreign corn that this necessary article might be within 
the limit of moderate price. The government scaled the tariff 50 i)cr cent, 
])cnding the next harvest, and .several cargoes have been imported from 
the United States. 
The people are very industrious. Necessity would impel them to be so 
were they otherwise, for although Yucatan is notan over-poi>ulated coun- 
try the industries are so concentrated, s(j lacking in diversity, and so nio- 
nopolizeil that the less fortunate are continually at a disadvantage and 
must necessarily be on tin? alert to share in the inadeipiate distribution. 
This applies also t<j the i>rofessions. 
Laborers in the cities average eight hours’ work, are paid by the piece 
